Jovial Jungle Jaunt (ToA)

The wound in his shoulder makes it impossible for Allister to strike effectively at the monster. Wincing at the pain, he sheathes his cutlass and take the healing potion from his pouch, downing it in one gulp. He feels a comfortable warmth spread through his body as the wounds mend, but not enough to make his swordarm as useful as he wishes. He concentrates on evading the many heads, giving his friends all the time they need to focus their attacks on the massive body of the hydra.

Boosey peeks out from his tunnel just enough to send healing energy towards Allister. He whispers a prayer that the warrior holds steady under the onslaught of the beast whike he takes aim with his crossbow. Plunk! The bolt tears a small line on the creature's torso@ which it fails to really notice. The six heads bear down on Allister once more, but focusing on defense works out so much better for him. He gets bitten once on his waist as he extends himself too far to one side (13 damage).

Seeing the hydra take the attack with it's head Glimbul moves over to the other side of the elf while reloading the crossbow. With a new aim angle he aims closer to the the ground of the body to try preventing the head from interfering. (Attack: 25 Damage: 26)

Cursing fluently in her native tongue, Nenne lifts her mace and sends a beam of red light toward the creature's underbelly. (Guiding Bolt - Attack: 15 Damage: Unable to parse dice roll.) The spectral red hand rakes toward the beast's side. (Attack: 20 Damage: 6)

She backs up to D5 and peers down the far tunnel. "What on earth happened to Alynoa?" she mumbles to herself in concern.

Another pair of heads grows from where Nenne's holy bolt burns through one of the necks. The seventh head roars out as it becomes whole in moments.

While hidden in the passage, the gnome pulls out the horn of blasting and creeps forward to a point where he can see the hydra.  Pointing the thing at the beast he takes a deep breath, then blows hard into the mouthpiece.  Instead of a thunderous sound,  there is a silence from the instrument, like it is sucking all sound from the cavern.  As the gnome looks at it in surprise, the thing explodes in a fireball, blasting Boosey back into the passageway and severely injuring him.  He just has enough wits left to cast healing word on himself as he lies smoking on the ground.

While the new heads are growing, the five heads strike down at Allister once again. He manages to escape all but one again (11 damage).

Growing concerned Glimbul readies another bolt and fires at the hydra again. (Attack: 25 Damage: 26). "New friends, perhaps we should make a retreat? The number of heads is starting to concern me and I do not know what to do about it".

Allister has seen better days, blood runs from several bites all over his body, his face is contorted with rage and pain. „I can’t hold it back any longer, get in the tunnel.“ He backs slowly to the tunnel, evading every attack and struggling to keep on his feet.

Having been blasted back down the passageway, the gnome picks himself up, wisps of smoke rising from his clothing, and moves forward grim determination set on his face. 

Targeting the mind of the head that Glimbul caused the most damage to he sends a wave of discordant sound into its mind.  As he sends the spell forth into it's mind he sees the heads start to sway from side to side, slowly at first then quicker as if trying to shake away the pain. 

Heads smack into each other, and the targeted one starts convulsing wildly.  Suddenly the creature stops moving, blood pouring from each of the heads noses and eye sockets.  With one last great convulsion six pairs of eyes roll  back in their heads and the hydra drops unmoving to the ground.  Dead. 

Boosey stares at the monster from the entrance to the passageway waiting for any sign that it might still somehow be alive, then collapses on to his back breathing heavily.  "There is still a spell caster out there," he shouts to the others.  "Keep on your guard, this may not be over!"

Nenne rushes over to the fighter and bard, brow pinched in concern. Seeing the ragged state of them, she flushes. "I'm grateful you're both alive," she says. "Though the risks you take are equally as likely to kill me as any of these monsters we keep encountering." The relief in her tone only marginally outweighs her worry and stress. 

"I think we all could use a brief respite, but I fear we do not have the time," she continues, a little more calm. "I will heal you if you feel we must press on quickly."

The hydra's dying sounds echo through the tunnels, followed by Boosey's warning. Nenne quickly checks the side tunnel and finds no immediate threat there. Glimbul informs the party that his gear is in the next room and he has to retrieve it before leaving. He dashes into the room followed closely by Allister and Boosey. Nenne follows, but remains at the door, content to survey the battle scene behind her, every wary of what that side tunnel holds.

The air in here is moist and sticky. Natural light spills from cracks in the ceiling, and mud coats the floor. Stone workbenches are laden with clay bottles of various shapes and sizes. Toadstools, snakeroot, and belladonna plants grow among the clutter, fed by water seeping from above. The entire room reeks of earth and decay.

Allister takes a few bottles and shakes them or sniffing carefully at the contents. „Anyone knows this potions and alchemy stuff? Maybe there’s something we could use. I definitely could use something against the pain once we move on.“

Glimbul hurries to put on his equipment. “Sorry, I had been forced to help in this room, but I have no clue what they were making. But since you all have saved me, what can I do to pay you all back the favor?”

After donning his equipment Glimbul perks up to attention and faces the party. “My apologies! In the haste of everything happening I forgot to properly introduce myself. I am Glimbul, but my friends call me Badger. I am an adventurer tied to this land by destiny! I am on the hunt looking for some items that are said to be in and around this city.”

Boosey takes some time to investigate the bottles, identifying what he can, given his limited study on the subject. The gnome calls to mind this cooky old woman that lived in a 'shoe'. He waves off further questions saying, "Another time. Remind me later around a campfire.""

Nenne's careful study of the south passage goes without interruption, but the room begins to fill with yuan-ti streaming in from the door opposite from the cleric. 

Two snake-like creatures make an appearance first, followed by several ghouls. The wrapped snake can be seen in the hallway behind, sword aflame. Three other yuan-ti are with him. He yells out from his rear position while still slithering forward as fast as he can muster, "Stop! Stop this madness right now! Do not slay the hydra!"

Upon hearing the gnome's introduction, Nenne turns around to return the pleasantries when she notices the incoming yuan-ti. Faint gold highlights start to mix with the pewter and silver of her hair. 

She raises her hands in a pacifying gesture and calls to Ras Nsi, "The only madness here are these unprovoked attacks - or is it a regional practice to harm peaceful visitors before they can speak? Stay your weapons and we can converse like civilized adults."

Their forces gather on the far side of the all-too-small room for this type of encounter. At his command, they only proceed far enough into the room to occupy their side. Snakelike appendages for arms snap at the end of several yuan-ti. A massive, muscular pureblood wields a greatsword with ease. He sneers at Allister, seemingly have picked his target. The wrapped one, likely Ras Nsi, glares at the party. He says, "Speak then, elf. What have you done in there?" He points beyond the cleric with his flaming sword.

"Survived an impolite greeting," she replies in a collected manner. She arches an eyebrow. "A recurring theme with all your subordinates, I have the displeasure to say. I, for one, would appreciate knowing why we have been targeted for violence so many times when we have done nothing but peacefully explore."

The yuan-ti coils his serpentine lower half under him entirely and narrows his eyes dangerously at Nenne. He informs her, "This is my domain and outsiders are not welcome here in this fane. This place is not open for you to 'peacefully explore' as you so put it. Your dwarven friend had more sense than you. His submission was complete and it saved him hours of torture."